Sir John Graham, captain of All Blacks – obituary

Sir John Graham, who has died aged 82, was an All Blacks captain who went on to be a successful manager of his country’s cricket team and a leading figure in New Zealand education.

Graham, always known by his initials DJ, played 53 times for the All Blacks between 1958 and 1964, 22 in Test matches, captained the side ten times and scored 11 tries. He was a speedy flanker and occasional number eight. His two brothers also played rugby at a high level.

As captain DJ could be sharp with players who fell below his exacting standards. When someone appeared to be losing focus, he would shout, “Ball, ball”. After one game, meeting a player in the showers who had dropped several passes, he said caustically: “I see you’ve got hands after all.”

Michael Jones, the great New Zealand breakaway forward, was coached by Graham at Auckland and recalls that before a game his last words to the team would be:...